Water, Weather, and the World
Lucia Rafala
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Give FeedbackASSESSMENT
Because of the nature of my class, traditional assessment procedures are not appropriate. I do not use written tests, reports, or letter-grade systems. Instead, I use cooperative learning activities that develop the individual strengths of the student. Through teacher observation and monitoring classroom participation, I determine the level of understanding for each individual. By using a method called reteaching, I constantly review material through varied learning experiences. Reteaching provides students with more opportunities to acquire the concepts being taught. In addition, a teaching method entitled the KWL provides the teacher with assessment information. The KWL is a process where the class actively determines what is known about a topic and what they would like to know in order to set purposes for learning. The procedure provides for review of information learned in order to assess knowledge gained through the lessons. First, the class begins with introductory lessons that review prior Knowledge and place this knowledge to the forefront of their minds. Then the teacher poses questions that create a sense of mystery as to What is about to be learned. Through a series of experiments and experiences, the students attempt to find an answer to their question. When the lessons are completed, the class reviews what has been Learned. This method links the information to be learned to what has already been learned to prevent learning concepts in isolation. The period of review at the end of a series of lessons provides the teacher with an opportunity to determine the student’s level of understanding and comprehension. Because expressive and receptive language difficulties often inhibit understanding, as long as a child participates to the best of his/her ability, I am able to “pass” the student.